Being Right About the Wrong Thing

I was right about the facts.

The numbers were there. I'd checked.

But you were right that my tone cracked

something between us.

We both looked away at the refrigerator,

cold air spilling out,

and I learned that morning

that being right

is not the same as winning,

that facts are small things

next to the tone you use to speak them.

Now when you avoid the break room,

I know what that costs.

I know I did that.

Not the argument.

The way I argued.

There's no closing the door

on that kind of cold.